Journalists, they come in all shapes and sizes, some tall, some short, some big, some small, but thank goodness some pretty. In my carrier I have met a few. Who needs them? For a start the editors, then us who read the newspapers, each and everyone of
MORE than 5,000 fish have been found dead in an Oxfordshire ditch - the third such incident in less than a week. Environment Agency officials were tonight investigating the cause of the suspected pollution leak after the fish, mostly perch, were found
THIEVES raided a row of garages in a quiet Kidlington cul-de-sac - just yards from two police stations. About 15 garages in Poplar Close were stripped of lead flashings - which are seals on roofs - on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights last week.
With the imminent threat of a writer's strike affecting film production over the next couple of years, Hollywood is obviously feeling a little concerned. Films are being rushed into production and big-budget blockbusters are being postponed, some indefinitely
Members of Oxford University's Pakistan Society gathered tonight to remember people killed in a suicide bombing aimed at the country's former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. Last Thursday's attack, which occurred as she travelled through Karachi hours
More than 5,000 fish have been found dead in an Oxfordshire ditch - the third such incident in less than a week. Environment Agency officials were tonight investigating the cause of the suspected pollution leak after the fish, mostly perch, were found
Brazen thieves raided a row of garages in a quiet Kidlington cul-de-sac - just yards from two police stations. About 15 garages in Poplar Close were stripped of lead flashings - which are seals on roofs - on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights last
Oxford United have received a big boost ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie at Merthyr Tydfil with Ipswich Town agreeing to allow the U's to play on-loan striker Jordan Rhodes. The 17-year-old has been impressive in his two starts for United, who are already
Ran to work this morning - a gentle 7 miles. And my foot, while a wee bit fragile, didn't hurt. It sounds good to me but I am not counting any chickens and have everything crossed!
A MONTH-long crackdown on the mess left by chewing gum in Oxford has led to a big cut in the amount stuck to pavements. But tonight the city council said it might not have the money to pay for future campaigns. The Government paid for the crackdown
The sons of a murdered Banbury man have called on the public to help detectives find their father's killer. Maurice Batts, 64, who ran his own company, Batts Refrigeration, was found unconscious on his canal boat, which was moored off Southam Road,
A month-long crackdown on the mess left by chewing gum in Oxford has led to a big cut in the amount stuck to pavements. But tonight the city council said it might not have the money to pay for future campaigns. The Government paid for the crackdown
POLICE this evening appealed for information about a missing Abingdon man. Steven Bowden, 45, of Curtis Avenue, failed to return home after leaving for a routine doctor's appointment yesterday morning. PC Stuart Webber, from Abingdon police station
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Police are appealing for information about a missing Abingdon man. Steven Bowden, 45, of Curtis Avenue, failed to return home after leaving for a routine doctor's appointment yesterday morning. Pc Stuart Webber, from Abingdon police station, said:
Oxford Under 15s made the long wait to play their English Schools' FA Trophy first round tie worthwhile with a 2-0 win over Cheltenham at Court Place Farm. With Cheltenham failing to arrange the tie in Gloucestershire, the match was eventually switched
Holders Kineton were unceremoniously knocked out of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA's Lord Jersey Cup with a 5-1 drubbing at Broughton & North Newington in the second round. Craig Hale (2), Johnny Hopcraft (2) and Craig Robinson did the damage
Danny Brind's four-timer helped Berinsfield to a resounding 7-2 victory over Theale in their Reading League Division 2 top-of-the-table clash. Michael Cullen, Stephen Bateman and Andy Samson were also on the scoresheet. Berinsfield Res stayed top
RIA Mosson netted a double for Carterton Cougars as they beat Tower Hill 5-2 in the Under 13 B Division of the Oxford Mail Girl's League. Mosson opened her account before April Millin doubled their advantage. Tower Hill tried to get back into the
Chris Turton hit a last-minute winner as Great Milton fought back to beat Golden Ball 3-2 in the RT Harris Oxford City FA Premier Division. Dean Chapman and Colin Donahue gave Golden Ball a two-goal cushion, only for second-half strikes from Nick Portnall
BREAST cancer patient Dr Ann Fingret travels to Westminster tomorrow to demand more support for her fellow patients. Dr Fingret, 74, from Swinbrook, near Burford, is part of Breast Cancer Care's Secondary Taskforce, a national coalition of experts
Stuart Wells hit a hat-trick in Worcester & Bletchingdon's 6-0 crushing win at lowly Watlington in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division. Ronnie Kabwebwe (2) and Simon Crossman were also on target for Worcester. Leaders Rover Cowley came
Brize Norton were on fire as they stormed to a 6-0 victory against Chinnor A in Division 3 of the Thames Valley Counties League. Although Brize ran the show from the off, it wasn't until the 30th minute that they made the breakthrough, Lisa Snook chipping
A woman suffered a broken collar bone when she was attacked as she bought food in a late night takeaway. The 36-year-old was in Best Food 200, in Market Place, Faringdon, when a man walked and launched a volley of verbal abuse. He followed her outside
Joe Courtney's double gave East Hendred a surprise 2-1 home win over Division 1 side Steventon in the North Berks Cup first round on Saturday. Courtney struck twice in the first half for the second division outfit. And although Adam Parsons pulled one
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Andy Allum cracked in five goals as Cholsey destroyed mid-table hosts Purley 7-1 to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier Division in the Reading Sunday League. Cholsey led only 2-0 at half-time, thanks to Andy Allum's first goal and player-manager
Steve Pitson smashed a six-timer as Saxton Rovers thrashed Sandman's nine men 10-0 in the Devenney Cup second round. Garry Hartley, Steven Steptoe, James Smith and Jody Granito completed the scoring. Childrey beat Standlake Garage 7-1, goals from
Hailey's new signing Mike Duerden scored a hat-trick to help his side to a 5-3 victory against Spartan Rangers in the Witney & District FA Premier Division. James Flemming and Dan King also netted, while Gavin Komenik, Ian Steele and Dave Large replied
Autotype UTV League Allbrite's Richard Pladdys suffered a broken leg in their Division 2 clash with CR Marks. CR Marks missed a first-half penalty, but went on to win 4-1 with goals from Chris Jordan (2), Anthony Long and Ethan Penney. Allbrite's
Marston's Oxford Sunday League Cold Arbour returned to winning ways in the Premier Division with an 8-1 demolition of hosts Riverside. Riverside were no match for Cold Arbour, whose Jelroy Constant lived up to his name by banging in a hat-trick to
OXFORD people are among the greediest in the country in consuming the Earth's resources, according to a new league table. A report by the Worldwide Fund for Nature ranked the 60 cities in England, Scotland and Wales by their residents' average ecological
COUNTY councillors will tomorrow discuss how best to help elderly patients in Oxfordshire who are forced to stay in hospital while waiting for social care. The county council's performance last year on preventing delayed discharges from acute hospital
A WOMAN suffered a broken collar bone after an assault in Faringdon. She had ordered some food from Best Food 200 in the Market Place when a man came into the shop and began abusing her verbally. She crossed the road into the Market Place and the
Oxford people are among the greediest in the country in consuming the Earth's resources, according to a new league table. A report by the Worldwide Fund for Nature ranked the 60 cities in England, Scotland and Wales by their residents' average ecological
Poppy is a pretty 18-month-old cat that is looking for home with experienced cat owners. Poppy was never let out in her previous home so we wish to place her in a rural area with a safe garden which she can explore at her own pace. Poppy is a lively
A string of fiddlers are making tracks for Germany this week, to celebrate Oxford making 60 years of 'sweet music' with Bonn. Eleven of the 25-strong Oxford Fiddle Group are joining pupils from Oxford Community School, civic leaders and artists on a
County councillors will tomorrow discuss how best to help elderly patients in Oxfordshire who are forced to stay in hospital while waiting for social care. The county council's performance last year on preventing delayed discharges from acute hospital
A nursery which has helped dozens of young mothers to get back into education faces closure in the £28m redevelopment of Witney's college campus. The Abacus children's day care centre, which opened nine years ago, has been told there is no room for
Post office customers in Oxfordshire will have to wait until next year to find out which of the county's branches face the axe, the Oxford Mail has learned. A hit-list of sub-post offices set to shut under the Government's national closure programme
NETWORK Rail and train operator First Great Western have poured cold water on plans for a new station to serve Grove and Wantage - but there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Provision of the station has not been ruled out completely,
A COUPLE from Abingdon will be allowed to keep animals despite admitting mistreating their pet cat, which was riddled with tumours and fleas. Lawrence Barrett, 50, and Vera Mitchell, 43, from Lyford Way, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering
HOME-GROWN feature film Lady Godiva is to have its glitzy UK premiere in Oxford. Director Vicky Jewson, from Radley, hopes to screen the romantic comedy on January 25 next year, before it opens in 15 cities nationwide. There will be celebrity guests
Abigail Trivett, eight, and brother Callum, four, got a close-up view of ghostly goings-on at the Museum of Oxford when they took a look around the Spooky Stories Gallery Trail, organised for the run-up to Halloween. The museum, at the Town Hall in
Network Rail and train operator First Great Western have poured cold water on plans for a new station to serve Grove and Wantage - but there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Provision of the station has not been ruled out completely,
Home-grown feature film Lady Godiva is to have its glitzy UK premiere in Oxford. Director Vicky Jewson, from Radley, hopes to screen the romantic comedy on January 25 next year, before it opens in 15 cities nationwide. There will be celebrity guests
Witney's library is to close for six weeks for refurbishment. The doors shut on Saturday and will not reopen until Monday, December 10. When the library reopens it will have a new layout and more than 1,000 new books. During the work, a mobile library
A couple from Abingdon will be allowed to keep animals despite admitting mistreating their pet cat, which was riddled with tumours and fleas. Lawrence Barrett, 50, and Vera Mitchell, 43, from Lyford Way, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering
Two Oxford swimming pools had to close during peak hours for safety reasons. Barton pool and Ferry Sports Centre pool were closed because of a shortage of lifeguards - leaving about 150 swimmers high and dry. Steve Holt, leisure manager at Oxford
Rugby Union Midlands 2 East BANBURY Bulls opened their league account with a 29-21 victory at fellow strugglers Melton Mowbray. Bulls were without four of last week's pack, but made a good start with fly half Grant Holmes setting up flanker Sean Bannister
Breast cancer patient Dr Ann Fingret, 74, travels to Westminster tomorrow to demand more support for her fellow sufferers. Dr Fingret, from Swinbrook, near Burford, is part of Breast Cancer Care's Secondary Taskforce, a national coalition of experts
Water customers in Oxfordshire face tougher restrictions on using hosepipes when supplies next run low, the Government has announced. During the county's last hosepipe ban, between April 2006 and January this year, thousands of residents were prevented
COUNCILLORS have backed a major regeneration scheme for the Rose Hill estate. The plan will see 97 Orlit homes demolished and replaced by 254 new houses. Oxford city councillors gave their support to the scheme at a meeting of the south east area
ARSONISTS were believed to be behind a caravan blaze in Didcot early today. Firefighters were called to Hilary Drive at about 2.40am to deal with a caravan on fire. The blaze spread to a fence panel, but no one was injured. Fire crews have alerted
With the imminent threat of a writer's strike affecting film production over the next couple of years, Hollywood is obviously feeling a little concerned. Films are being rushed into production and big-budget blockbusters are being postponed
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Music lovers can now download their favourite tracks from the Internet for free, thanks to a pioneering Oxford firm. We7, based at the Oxford Business Park, allows people to download as many songs as they want from its website, meaning they can avoid
An Oxfordshire car business is spearheading the Government's Women in Work programme with a drive to attract more women into the motor trade. Hartwell Ford has teamed up with the Institute of the Motor Industry in a bid to break down the macho image
Arsonists were believed to be behind a caravan blaze in Didcot early this morning. Firefighters were called to Hilary Drive at about 2.40am to deal with a caravan on fire. The blaze spread to a fence panel, but no one was injured. Fire crews have alerted
Councillors last night gave their backing to a major regeneration scheme for the Rose Hill estate. The plan will see 97 Orlit homes demolished and replaced by 254 new houses. Oxford city councillors gave their support to the scheme at a meeting of the
Harwell went top of BB&O Division 1 South with a thumping 59-5 win at Slough 2nd. Three early tries put Harwell in control and from then on they didn't allow the home side a look-in. Kev Wood (2), Dave Beaven, Rob Douglas, Andy Lee and Mike Giddings
Bicester No 8 Dan Spencer ran in a hat-trick of tries as they crushed Wheatley 59-10 at Oxford Road in the BB&O Premier Division. The hosts bagged nine tries in all, with wing Anthony Lewis and replacement centre Nick Kenny notching doubles. Lewis
Wallingford secured their first away win of the season in Southern Counties North with a 27-19 success at Beaconsfield. Beaconsfield opened the scoring on three minutes when their scrum half went over for the first of a try treble. Wallingford lock
Banbury Bulls opened their Midlands 2 East account with a 29-21 victory at fellow strugglers Melton Mowbray. Bulls were without four of last week's pack, but made a good start with fly half Grant Holmes setting up flanker Sean Bannister for their opening
Oxford Harlequins bagged a 35-31 victory at Maidenhead in South West 1 - but they almost threw it away. Quins led 25-5 and 35-12, but were left hanging on at the end. They opened the scoring in the 11th minute when fly half Frank Jones slotted over
SEX abuse victims have demanded to know where paedophiles and attackers live after it emerged there are now 323 in the county. Police and the Probation Service yesterday revealed the number of people on the Sex Offenders' Register who are being monitored
Director of rugby Jon Lambden was buoyed by a much-improved Henley Hawks performance. He said: "We finished the game well. Hopefully we are getting rid of this brake we have been playing with. "When we took it off in the second half we looked good
Henley Hawks 30, Halifax 9 A much-improved second half saw Henley Hawks collect their first bonus point victory of the National 2 season. Hawks trailed 9-6 at the break after a disjointed display, but came out with all guns blazing. Henley notched
AN Oxford roundabout has been named one of the country's trickiest junctions for learner drivers. The Headington roundabout, on the A40, is so complicated that it has become one of ten junctions nationwide where learners are most likely to fail.
WORKERS are facing disciplinary hearings and being warned about misusing the Internet in the face of a boom in networking websites like Facebook and MySpace. Businesses and councils have drawn up revised policies on using the Internet - and employees
Oxfordshire's Bradley Smith bounced back to form in the Malaysian Grand Prix with a hard-fought ninth place in the 19-lap 125cc race. The 16-year-old from Wheatley, pictured right, made a great start from the fourth row of the grid but then dropped
The second round of the ODDA's George Pegram Cup produced a major shock as Premier League champions Railway Social Club came unstuck at Section 1 opponents College Oak. The home side produced their best form of the season as they recorded a splendid
Oxfordshire got their new Inter-Counties Youth League season off to a flying start by seeing off one of the favourites for the title, Kent, 10-7 in their opening fixture. The under 18 boys came back from 3-0 down to triumph 5-4 with wins from Oliver
Abingdon United will be without Dean Moss (ankle) at home to Staines in tonight's FA Trophy first-qualifying round replay. The winners host Bury Town or Maidstone on November 3. Abingdon Utd: from Tricker, Meade, Organ, Woodley, Franklin, McCalmon, Alexis
A strong Northampton side overpowered Oxford University 50-19 at Iffley Road last night with a thoroughly committed performance. With hooker Dylan Hartley returning after a six-month ban for eye gouging, Saints were clearly up for it from the start
Oxford United will be without Frenchman Alex Jeannin for their FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Merthy Tydfil this Saturday. The former Exeter City, Hereford and Darlington defender, who was United's regular left wingback this campaign, but has
Three Tuns A kept up the pressure on the Oxfordshire Super League leaders Chinnor with a hard-fought 5-4 win at home to White Lion. Steve Skelton and Olly Varney (27.29) got Lion off to a flying start before Phil Addison (25.03) pulled one back. John
Oxford Hawks were beaten 1-0 at Worcester on Sunday in the third round of the England Women's Cup. The Worcester keeper thwarted good efforts from Hannah Williamson and Tori Clark before Worcester struck in the second half. In the Trysports 3 Counties
Wallingford and City of Oxford fought out an exciting 3-3 draw at The Hithercoft in South League MBB& O Division 1, with Wallingford battling back after finding themselves two goals down in the first quarter of an hour. Wallingford were hoping to repeat
GREEN is the new black, say dictionary experts at Oxford University Press. They have chosen 'footprint' as their word of the year for 2007. Now they are asking the public to join an online poll to find the nation's favourite new words. Oxford
MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts have paid tribute to a Grove man and "passionate" speedway fan who was killed while racing at an event at the weekend. David Durham, from Grove, died on Sunday while competing in the Midlands Centre Championships at Offerton,
THE full transformation of Witney's college campus in a £28m redevelopment is likely to be at least three-and-a-half years away. The timetable for the scheme was revealed as Abingdon and Witney College released public consultation details, with the
AN OXFORD restaurateur enjoyed the taste of success when he won a top prize at the British Curry Awards for the second time. The Aziz restaurant, in Cowley Road, owned by Aziz-Ur Rahman, was named the best curry restaurant in the South-East at a ceremony
FLYPOSTING in Cowley Road, Oxford, is getting out of hand, claim residents and traders. They say layers of posters up to an inch thick cover unused shop windows advertising club nights, gigs and concerts across the city. Tom Corcoran, of ice cream
A WILDLIFE talk by Dr Philip Riordan, of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University, will take place tomorrow at Hill Farm, Little Wittenham. The Nation's Mammals Wildlife Talk will discuss the interaction between mink, otters and
YOUNG footballers have been left with nowhere to train after vandals destroyed part of an all-weather pitch in Oxford. Vandals hacked out a 15in circle of pitch at the all-weather area behind Bullingdon Community Centre, in Peat Moors, Cowley, forcing
PENSIONERS' leader Bill Jupp said last night that the £3.40 increase in the basic state pension would be "wiped out" by increased council tax payments. Mr Jupp, 76, of Arlington Drive, Marston, Oxford, spoke out after the Government announced the
AN OIL distribution company has won two awards. Nolan Oils has been named Oil Distributor Of The Year, while employee Luke Nolan was named Trainee Of The Year, at the Oil Firing Technical Association Awards for Excellence. Mr Nolan's father, Mark, a
WOMEN vicars are following athletic as well as spiritual pursuits - by getting in the swim and climbing mountains. While one has scaled Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for her church, another has just celebrated her 40th birthday by swapping her dog
CONSULTANTS and temporary staff will continue to be employed by Oxford City Council "as and when" - despite the bill last year topping £3.5m. The authority, which is working out ways to fill a £5.2m black hole in next year's budget, spent almost £1.5m
Banbury's Spiceball Sports Centre is now fully open after the completion of work to repair damage caused by July's floods. The main sports hall was the last area of the centre to get the all-clear. On July 21, the lower levels of Spiceball - swimming
The 'hamburger' roundabout at Headington, Oxford, is dangerous only because too many drivers go too fast across it. Observe the 30mph speed limit and it is much safer.
If you or a member of your family have been a victim of a sex crime, it is understandable that you would want full retribution. But those advocating that the public should be told where paedophiles and perverts are living should think carefully. We
Sex abuse victims last night demanded to know where paedophiles and attackers live after it emerged there are now 323 in the county. Police and the Probation Service yesterday revealed the number of people on the Sex Offenders' Register who are being
Workers are facing disciplinary hearings and being warned about misusing the Internet in the face of a boom in networking websites like Facebook and MySpace. Businesses and councils have drawn up revised policies on using the Internet - and employees
A notorious Oxford roundabout has been named one of the country's trickiest junctions for learner drivers. The Headington roundabout, on the A40, is so complicated that it has become one of 10 junctions nationwide where learners are most likely to fail
